New PM gets warm welcome on first day in power

Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was warmly welcomed by the mainstream media on his first day in office yesterday, but warned of major challenges ahead.

Abdullah, 63, was sworn in on Friday as Malaysia's fifth prime minister since independence from Britain in 1957, ushering in a new political era in a country that has been dominated for 22 years by his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad.

His most important challenge, said The Star, was to lead the ruling National Front coalition to a convincing victory in general elections due within a year "to secure a personal mandate for his policies".

The main opposition comes from the hardline Islamic Party (PAS), which wants to turn moderate Malaysia into an Islamic state complete with punishments such as amputations and stoning to death.

Abdullah would also have to address corruption and "the notion among some Malaysians that the government owes them a living," I said.

The New Straits Times called on Abdullah to further develop a Malaysian identity among the country's races. Some 65 per cent of the 24 million population are Malays and other indigenous groups, while 27 per cent are ethnic Chinese and some seven per cent ethnic Indian.

"Let us not fudge the issue: our survival depends on our ability to live alongside each other and Abdullah must find the resources to ensure that this is understood by every child in this country."

The newspaper also urged Abdullah to tackle corruption "and foster more efficient and transparent government".

Hometown supporters in Penang were meanwhile gathering to give their "village hero" a grand welcome on his first day in power.

Some 20,000 residents and wellwishers were expected at the airport to greet the first local boy from this northern resort state to be elevated to the nation's highest office, officials said.

Abdullah will deliver his maiden speech as premier before being escorted by a motorcade of some 2,000 motorcyclists to his village in Kepala Batas on the mainland peninsula, linked to the island by a 13.5 kilometre bridge, reputedly the longest in Asia.

Some 300 security personnel will be on duty and several roads, including the bridge, will be open only to his convoy, police said.

His sleepy hometown village has taken on a festive air, with posters and bunting lining the roads between the bridge and the airport.

Abdullah, widely known as Pak Lah (Uncle Lah), will seek blessings from his 79-year-old mother Kailan Hassan and break Ramadan fast with his family, before attending a nearby mosque for prayers and a thanksgiving feast planned by supporters.

Kailan has described Abdullah's appointment as God's will and has advised her son to remain down-to-earth.

"It never crossed my mind Abdullah will become prime minister. Everything is up to God. We should not be carried away by positions," she said, adding that they would share a simple meal of porridge and dates, her son's favorite.

Abdullah, who has a reputation as "Mr Nice Guy" is not expected to make any radical changes to Mahathir's economic and social policies, at least in the short term, but his style will be different as he is less confrontational than his controversial predecessor.

Today, he gets down to work visiting flood victims in the northern region and handing out aid packages before returning to Kuala Lumpur and clocking-in at the PM's office early Monday morning.